Luis Diaz had an eventful 45 minutes for Bayern Munich as they clashed with Paris Saint-Germain in Champions League action on Tuesday evening – with moments to remember coming just before ones to forget.
The former Liverpool forward made the move to the Bundesliga giants this summer in a £70million deal and has hit the ground running in Bavaria.
The Colombia international has already score eight times and registered a further five assists in his 15 appearances across all competitions for Bayern.
But Diaz found himself joining an elite club on Tuesday night as Vincent Kompany’s men faced off with last season’s winners at the Parc des Princes in Paris.
The 28-year-old wasted no time announcing himself in the French capital as he netted his first goal after just four minutes.
Diaz picked off a clumsy first save from goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier knocked into the box to coolly fire past the shot-stopper.
And less than 30 minutes later, Diaz had doubled his side’s lead to give them a serious edge over their hosts.
But as the first-half extended into injury time, a moment of madness from the former Reds star changed the game for both himself and his team.
As PSG star Achraf Hakimi sprinted down the wing with the ball, Diaz flew feet first into a full-throated challenge which floored Hakimi and trapped his foot uncomfortably under his body.
The injury left Hakimi in anguish on the turf, with the defender visibly distressed after the tackle’s impact.
The Morocco international – who turned 27 that day – was quickly substituted off, and appeared to be in tears as he was assisted from the pitch by club medics.
With play suspended, Bayern players immediately swarmed Maurizio Mariani in a bid to keep their star on the pitch.
Diaz’s team-mate Joshua Kimmich argued with the referee, with goalkeeper Manuel Neuer also keen to change his mind.
But Mariani wasted no time showing Diaz a straight red card after reviewing the incident through VAR, putting Bayern down to 10 men.
Diaz is only the second player in Champions League history to have been sent off after scoring twice, with the first France international Antoine Griezmann on duty for Atletico Madrid in 2021.
The visitors clung on to their lead – despite PSG pulling one back through Joao Neves – and clinched a win which does, as things stand, place them at the very top of the Champions League standings.
The German giants previously defeated Club Brugge 4-0, Cypriot minnows Pafos 5-1, and Premier League foes Chelsea 3-1 in their unbeaten run in Europe so far.
